By Enayet Kabir
The war drug “Captagon” is an unfamiliar name for the general public. However, during the anti-government July–August riots of 2024 in Bangladesh, this drug—known as the “drug of jihadist frenzy”—was reportedly used.
The behavioural patterns of so-called “riot leaders” Abu Sayeed, Hasnat Abdullah, AB Party’s Asaduzzaman Fuad, and many other participants in the movement were “not normal”. Several military intelligence teams in Bangladesh had confirmed the matter long ago but did not disclose who was involved.
According to multiple reliable military sources who wished to remain anonymous, Turkey’s intelligence agency supplied a shipment of Captagon to a jihadist group in Bangladesh through Pakistan’s military intelligence agency, ISI.
The sources say that video footage and other data in their possession show behavioural evidence indicating physical endurance beyond normal human limits, abnormal stimulation, and fearless aggression. Known as the “poor man’s cocaine,” Captagon—allegedly developed by Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad—is a type of psycho-stimulant drug.
It is an amphetamine-type stimulant that creates intense excitement after entering the body, reduces the need for sleep and food, and can temporarily detach a person from fear and empathy. Users’ emotional sensitivity is diminished.
They can remain awake and without hunger for days. Syrian rebel jihadists reportedly first used this drug. Later, the Afghan Taliban group also became accustomed to using it.
In 1986, this drug was banned in most countries of the world. However, a modified version became popular among Muslim jihadist militant groups in various countries. Internationally, there has been much discussion about its use in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and reports have mentioned its application among ISIL fighters.
According to reliable sources, the prolonged violent presence of participants in the July–August movement, their fearless clashes with law enforcement, and their extreme aggressive behaviour are consistent with the effects of such stimulant drugs. They have demanded a full and transparent investigation and called for dope tests and forensic analyses of those involved.
Police and intelligence officials were reportedly astonished by the excessive confidence and aggressive behavior of many young people involved in the July riots in Bangladesh. Later, after learning about the severe impact of drugs during the riots, they confirmed it through multiple forensic investigations.
In particular, when evidence of drugs was allegedly found in Abu Sayeed’s forensic report, the matter was suppressed. However, one member of the investigative medical team leaked this information. It is learned that this doctor is now unwilling to speak further.
After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, the “July beneficiary” Muhammad Yunus’s interim government allegedly suppressed most of the autopsy reports of those killed in the riots.
Although the police were initially unable to confirm which drug had been used, military intelligence later confirmed the presence of Captagon in Bangladesh.
They conducted targeted behavioural pattern analysis on fifty “rioters” and found similarities with the side effects of its consumption. Several intelligence groups reportedly have information about Captagon use among many of those who led the July riots.
When the matter became known in higher military circles, Hasnat Abdullah and Fuad were banned from entering military cantonments. Hasnat was also reportedly interrogated by a DGFI team regarding this issue.
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A section of the police is concerned about the presence of war drugs like Captagon in Bangladesh. They suspect there may be unofficial links between the drug incident and DGFI.
(The writer is a political and economic analyst)
